Bobcats throw fans a curve selecting IU's Zeller

By Richard Walker

Published: Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 09:12 PM.

CHARLOTTE – Cody Zeller once broke the hearts of University of North Carolina basketball fans when he chose Indiana over playing for the Tar Heels alongside older brother Tyler Zeller in the fall of 2010.

On Wednesday night, Cody Zeller had no choice in coming to this state as the Charlotte Bobcats surprised even their ownfans by picking the 7-foot forward over seemingly higher-profile players like Maryland’s Alex Len, Kansas’ Ben McLemore and Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel.

Fans at a draft party held at Time Warner Cable voiced their displeasure at the selection immediately. Boos and negative chants were very audibly heard from the crowd that was gathered in the concourse at the front of the arena.

But it also means ESPN Insider Chad Ford had good sources when he reported two days earlier than Bobcats general manager Rich Cho was interested enough in Zeller to make him the No. 4 selection.

No matter what you think of Zeller, it would appear Cho and perhaps new head coach Steve Clifford have staked their jobs to his future success or failure.

After all, given that this franchise chose Sean May ahead of Danny Granger and Adam Morrison ahead of Rudy Gay, fans will remain skeptical of the franchise’s decision-making until proven wrong.

In truth, Zeller’s selection was shocking if for no other reason than Len, McLemore and Noel were considered the top player at various times leading up to the draft.

CHARLOTTE – Cody Zeller once broke the hearts of University of North Carolina basketball fans when he chose Indiana over playing for the Tar Heels alongside older brother Tyler Zeller in the fall of 2010.

On Wednesday night, Cody Zeller had no choice in coming to this state as the Charlotte Bobcats surprised even their ownfans by picking the 7-foot forward over seemingly higher-profile players like Maryland’s Alex Len, Kansas’ Ben McLemore and Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel.

Fans at a draft party held at Time Warner Cable voiced their displeasure at the selection immediately. Boos and negative chants were very audibly heard from the crowd that was gathered in the concourse at the front of the arena.

But it also means ESPN Insider Chad Ford had good sources when he reported two days earlier than Bobcats general manager Rich Cho was interested enough in Zeller to make him the No. 4 selection.

No matter what you think of Zeller, it would appear Cho and perhaps new head coach Steve Clifford have staked their jobs to his future success or failure.

After all, given that this franchise chose Sean May ahead of Danny Granger and Adam Morrison ahead of Rudy Gay, fans will remain skeptical of the franchise’s decision-making until proven wrong.

In truth, Zeller’s selection was shocking if for no other reason than Len, McLemore and Noel were considered the top player at various times leading up to the draft.

And, as twitter hammered home time and again after Zeller’s pick, few who saw Syracuse eliminate Indiana in last year’s NCAA Sweet 16 would have figured him for a lottery pick – much less going No. 4 ahead of the players who were available.

Can Zeller prove fans wrong, many of whom reacted angrily at TWC Arena at the announcement of his pick?

Since his brother played for the school whose alma mater is shared by Bobcats owner Michael Jordan, chances are a strong start to his rookie year will gain him quick acceptance.

Of course, should he follow the path of two of the franchise’s most recent forward-centers in their rookie seasons (Alexis Ajinca was No. 20 overall in 2008 and Bismack Biyombo was No. 7 overall in 2011), fans will show their displeasure in another way – by simply ignoring the Bobcats.